Replace The Villain's Wife

13 : A Delay

"I was here. Why do you look worried? It's not like you."

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This is bad.

Why am I here again?!

"Merlin!!" I shout, calling Merlin's name. It must be Merlin's doing. I don't know he can teleport people to another place. And now?

I'm inside the forest. Right here, at the same place the first time I came into the forest. I look around trying to find even the slightest shadow of Merlin. Does he even have a shadow?

"Wow, can't believe you actually come." Eliot's voice suddenly interrupts me.

"I just feel like going to the forest."

I won't tell him a demon angel brought me here, right? He'll think I'm crazy.

"Pfft!"

I look at Eliot. He closes his mouth with his hand.

"Why are you laughing?" I ask.

"Pfft! Hahaha, I just can't."

Eliot keeps laughing, leaving me asking myself.

"So," he stops before he continues.

"What's with your pajama?"

"Huh?" I turn myself and look down on my dress.

What?!

"Wa-Wait! What time is it?"

"It's still morning." Eliot answers.

"I can't believe you want to see me that bad."

Oh no, I didn't mean to make him feel that way.

"Umm, no. I think I have to go now." I say.

Karl might be worried and he'll kill me if he knows I'm here in the forest, again.

"Why so hurry?" Eliot raises his eyebrow. His guards are always there behind him.

I can feel my legs trembling. I rub my hand to reduce my nervousness.

"It's still morning, I need to go. I turn my back and walk without saying goodbye and afraid to look back. While behind me, Eliot seems curious.

"Then, I'll see you next time." he shouts as I see him riding his horse.

"I don't think so." I whisper as I look back at him. I close my eyes, leting the wind blows my hair.

Now, shall we go find that damn Merlin?

"Merlin! I know you're here."

I just can feel it. He won't leave me here alone without returning me back to the castle.

"Well, great that you know."

A whisper just slips into my ear as I turn my head to see Merlin, but he's not here. It's just his voice.

"Come out, Merlin. Bring me back to my home," I say.

"Home huh?" He asks.

As a shadow just pass so quickly, Merlin is here beside me now.

"Since when did you call Ezule your home, Antania?" Merlin smirks, he's teasing me.

"This is my home until I find my real home."

"Glad to hear it, then." Merlin smiles at me as I look at him with a straight face.

I ask Merlin to bring me back. Only one snap, just a snap. I'm back at the castle, specifically, my bedroom.

"Huh?"

I ask myself. I've changed my dress. My hair is done and I feel fresh, as if I've taken a bath.

"It's your reward for accompanying me this morning, hahaha!"

Even though I can't see Merlin, I know that he is laughing freely after he teased me today.

"Antania!"

The door suddenly opened loud. Karl looks at me with his scary face. I can see his hands clenched.

"Where were you?" Karl asks as he walks closer to me. His voice sounds calm but I can see an intimidating tone there.

"Here."

"Liar." He immediately answer.

"What's with you? I've been here the whole time."

Argh! I might go to hell for lying too much.

Karl POV

"No! I've checked everywhere."

Again, she went to a place I don't know. I aksed Lydia to call her this morning, but Lydia said she's nowhere around the castle. Tch! I am not that stupid to not know that she's lying.

"I was here. Why do you look worried? It's not like you." I widen my eyes as Antania walks nearer and she lift her hand. I can feel a gentle touch of her stroking my hair.

"Sorry if I'm a bit presumptuous." she says gently.

I close my eyes and sigh. I open my eyes and look at her from bottom to top. She is well-dressed, when did she take a bath?

"Why?" Antania's voice suddenly interrupts me. She has stopped stroking my hair.

"Nothing."

As usual, I walk outside without saying anything. I will have a sword lesson with Philip and Kenn after this.

"Always so meanie." Antania's protest makes me smile somehow. Meanie huh?

***

Antania's POV

"Hello, sister!"

"Kenn? You're done practicing?"

"As fast as I could."

"Why do you come here?" I ask. It's not usual for Kenn to come and play at my room.

"Aunt Keanna is calling you."

I nod. 

"Do you want to join?" I ask because Kenn is still following me from behind. He smiles.

"Of course."

"Mother." I call the empress. Empress Keanna asked me to call her mother from now on. It's a bit weird for me at first because it reminded me of my mom, but I'm getting used to it as days passed by.

Empress Keanna turns around and smiles. 

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, you know that you will go to school in two days, right?"

I nod.

"I will have to postpone it until next week."

"What?" Kenn asks, representing my curiosity too.

"Barb says it would be the best time for Antania."

Wow, Mr. Barb sure is very trusted, huh.

"No problem, I'm okay with anytime."

Besides, I'm so awkward when it comes to making friends.

"Then, if there is nothing more, I'd like to excuse myself mother." I bow and walk away with Kenn after seeing the empress nodded.

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